Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Stoßtruppführer 1./Pionier-Bataillon (mot) 51

Awarded on:

May 21st, 1940

Following the German aerial assault on the Eben Emael fortress, it was vital for the ground troops to link up with the Fallschirmjäger as soon as possible. The initial efforts were thwarted however due to the destruction of the bridge over the Albert Canal at Kanne, which prevented a swift push to the fortress. The initial efforts of the Pionier-Bataillon 51 on the afternoon of 10.05.1940 to cross the canal were stopped dead by fierce Belgian fire, as were two further attempts later that day.

Finally, during the evening, an assault team lead by Oberfeldwebel Portsteffen launched a crossing under cover of darkness. Paddling furiously, they managed to cross the canal unscathed along the NW side of the fortress. They immediately scaled the hill up to the top and began destroying the Belgian fortifications there. One of the most important ones destroyed was the so-called Werk 4. Armed with flamethrowers, the Pioniere forced the Belgians to close the shutters which then allowed the assault team to close in and knock it out with explosives. In doing so the path was cleared for further German troops to move up on the NW side of the fortress.

By the early morning of the next day Portsteffen and his team became the first German ground troops to make contact with the Fallschirmjäger, and were joined by the rest of the Bataillon later that day. Portsteffen would receive the Knight’s Cross for his efforts in securing the German victory in this battle.